Online information sessions: 24 June

COVID-19

We are committed to offering a high-quality experience to all our students. We are working to minimise the impact of COVID-19, but we have reluctantly decided that we will be unable to offer this programme for entry in 2020.

We anticipate that this degree will be available again for entry in September 2021, but we are not currently in the position to confirm that. Applications for the next intake usually open in October.

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This intensive programme will enable you to delve deeper into the structure of the English language’s phonology, syntax and semantics and modern and historical development.

Joining an internationally-acclaimed centre for research and teaching in the linguistic study of English, you will explore in depth a global language with a rich history and great social and geographical variation.

You will be taught by world-leading experts who will give you a detailed awareness of the ways in which English is used in Britain and around the world.

This programme comprises two semesters of taught courses, followed by a dissertation.

The programme focuses initially on the structure of English, and also offers option courses on aspects of the history of English, on current varieties of the language and on a good number of approaches to the study of the language and English linguistics.

Compulsory courses:

Introduction to Language Research

Introduction to Phonology

Introduction to Syntax

History of the English Language

Optional courses previously offered include:

Cognitive Linguistics

Current Issues in Phonology

Current Issues in Syntax

Diachronic Linguistics

Early Germanic Dialects

Global Englishes

Historical Phonology

Introduction to Discourse Analysis

Introduction to Morphology

Introduction to Sociolinguistics

Language Variation & Change

Middle English

Pragmatics

Reading Old English

Scots & Scottish English

Sociolinguistic Research Design

Stylistics

You can also choose optional courses from a wide range of other areas of linguistic study. You may be able to take a course from other degree programmes in the School of Philosophy, Psychology & Language Sciences, and in some cases, from elsewhere in the University.

Students graduating from this new programme will understand how contemporary research approaches the linguistic study of English. Students will acquire and enhance the following professional/subject-specific/practical skills:

This programme has been designed to help you progress your career as an English language specialist. Many graduates go on to complete a PhD and become academics, or work as researchers in English language related publishing. The programme is popular with teachers of English language who wish to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the structure and history of English, and return to education. The analytical skills you develop and the research training you receive will be valuable in a wide range of careers.

International qualifications

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

For 2020 entry we accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 23 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

PTE Academic: total 67 (at least 61 in each of the "Communicative Skills" sections)

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

For 2021 entry we will accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

IELTS: total 7.0 (at least 6.5 in each module)

TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition): total 100 (at least 23 in each module). We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.

CAE and CPE: total 185 (at least 176 in each module)

Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

*(Revised 21 February 2020 to remove PTE Academic from 2021 entry requirements. Revised 21 April 2020 to include TOEFL-iBT Special Home Edition in 2020 and 2021 entry requirements.)

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on your programme, the duration of your studies, and your residency status. (Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.)

We operate a gathered field approach to applications for the MSc English Language. This means that all complete applications that satisfy our minimum entry requirements will be held until the nearest deadline and the admissions panel will meet to consider all applications received together after that date.To be considered, your application must include transcripts and an academic reference by the set deadline.

Applications will not be accepted after the final deadline.

Applications must be complete with all supporting documentation to be passed on for consideration, this includes references. Please ensure that you inform referees of any deadline you wish to meet.

References

You will be asked to add contact details for your referees. We will email them with information on how to upload their reference directly to your online application. Alternatively, they can email their comments to:

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.